Battle of Altenburg facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Altenburg
Part of the German campaign of the Sixth Coalition
Battle of Altenburg engraved by Ant. Tessaro
Date 28 September 1813 Location Altenburg, Saxe-Gotha-Altenburg 50°59′6″N 12°26′0″E / 50.98500°N 12.43333°E / 50.98500; 12.43333 Result Coalition victory
Belligerents
Prussia  Austria  Russia	France  Baden
Commanders and leaders
Thielmann Mensdorff Platov	Charles Lefebvre-Desnouettes
Strength
	8,000
Casualties and losses
300 dead or wounded	600 dead or wounded 1,000-1,400 taken prisoner

The Battle of Altenburg was a small but important fight that happened on September 28, 1813. It was part of the German campaign of 1813, which was a big part of the War of the Sixth Coalition. This war involved many European countries fighting against Napoleon and his French Empire.

The battle took place near the town of Altenburg in what is now Germany. It was a surprise attack, also called a "raid," by a group of soldiers from the Coalition forces. These forces included soldiers from Prussia, the Austrian Empire, and the Russian Empire.

What Was the Goal?

The main goal of this raid was to bother the French army. The Coalition wanted to cut off the French supply routes. These routes were like the French army's lifelines, bringing them food, weapons, and messages.

The raid happened about 25 miles (45 km) south of Leipzig. This was just before the much larger and more famous Battle of Leipzig. By disrupting French supplies, the Coalition hoped to weaken Napoleon's army.

Who Was Involved?

The Coalition forces were led by Saxon General Johann von Thielmann. He commanded about 1,500 cavalry soldiers. These included seven groups of Cossacks (skilled Russian horsemen), and squadrons of Saxon Hussars and Dragoons. There was also a small group of Saxon volunteer soldiers.

Other important leaders for the Coalition were Emmanuel von Mensdorff-Pouilly from Austria and Matvei Platov from Russia. They helped lead the different parts of the cavalry.

The French forces were led by Charles Lefebvre-Desnouettes. He had a much larger force of about 8,000 soldiers. This included some of Napoleon's best cavalry, the Cavalry of the Imperial Guard. There was also a small group of infantry (foot soldiers) from Baden, a German state allied with France.

The Battle Unfolds

General Thielmann's cavalry managed to completely surprise the French. The French soldiers were not ready for an attack. They were caught off guard and quickly broke apart.

The French cavalry, including Napoleon's elite Imperial Guard, fled from Altenburg. As they ran, they crashed into their own Baden infantry. The Baden soldiers tried to fight back but were quickly captured.

The French lost a lot of soldiers in this surprise attack. About 600 to 2,100 French soldiers were either killed or wounded. A large number, between 1,000 and 1,400, were taken prisoner. In comparison, Thielmann's forces had much fewer losses, with only about 200 soldiers killed or wounded.

Why Was This Battle Important?

Even though it was a smaller battle, the Battle of Altenburg was a victory for the Coalition. It showed that the Coalition forces could successfully disrupt Napoleon's plans. It also helped to weaken the French army before the major Battle of Leipzig. This raid was a good example of how cavalry could be used to surprise and defeat a larger enemy force.